Rice Lake
About Rice Lake
Rice Lake is an 863-acre lake near Grand Rapids in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 68 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 22, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Rice Lake
- 863 acres, up to 68 feet deep, near Grand Rapids
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 13.3 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 863 acres
- Max depth
- 68 ft
- Shoreline
- 12.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 229 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 22
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- April 8, 2017
- Latest
- May 6, 2022
- Most recent
- April 22, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Rice Lake
Compare Rice Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Rice Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Rice Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Little Rice Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bass Brook (subdivision)139 acres
1.7 miles away
Guile Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset88 acres
1.8 miles away
Long Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids134 acres
1.8 miles away
Loon Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids231 acres
2.1 miles away
Blackwater Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset601 acres
3 miles away
Jay Gould Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset552 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rice Lake?
Rice Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Grand Rapids. It covers 863 acres and reaches 68 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Rice Lake?
Rice Lake covers 863 acres with about 12.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 68 feet.
What fish can you catch at Rice Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Rice Lake?
Yes. Rice Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Rice Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Rice Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Rice Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Rice Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Rice Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 22, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 8, 2017 and the latest is May 6, 2022.